DESPITE ITS energy-saving measures, UST will be sending off its graduating students with the usual sights, sounds and spectacle as it decided to keep the traditional pyromusical show for this year’s Baccalaureate Mass in full swing.
When asked if the University would tone down its pyromusical display to save energy, Facilities Management Office (FMO) director Fr. Dexter Austria O.P., revealed that such a measure was considered for major events but was ultimately dismissed.
The administration opted to prohibit the display during college-wide festivities instead.
“We tried that happening (reducing the fireworks to save energy) but the students reacted. Because the fireworks are part and parcel of the celebration of the university event like [Baccalaureate] mass,” Austria told The Flame.
However, UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. directed units to lessen firework shows, particularly for smaller events like college weeks, the FMO chief added.
“If it is university-wide, especially on the [Baccalaureate] Mass and Paskuhan, it will be allowed. But the rest, they will not be allowing it anymore because of the environment concerns,” Austria said.
‘Knitted together’
The FMO director said the pyromusical display is designed to resonate with the Gen Z graduating class through a set of songs that leans more toward international hits than original Pilipino music (OPM).
“And I think the other generation will not be able to relate anymore. Because you have your own generation on how you celebrate graduation. For us, it’s more sentimental. But for you, it’s more of a celebration. It’s a celebration of the journey, but also awaiting the future,” Austria said.
Although Austria kept the specific song titles under wraps to maintain the surprise, he noted that the chosen music is “knitted together” to tell the story of the students’ academic journey.
“It’s about not just surviving, but not only reminiscing about the past, but on how we journey together as Thomasians,” he said.
“We did not only focus on the graduation itself, but the journey that happened along the way. The challenges, the triumphs, the joys, the struggles.”
Beyond the music, Austria noted that the celebration is intended to encourage students to look forward to the future with confidence. He highlighted the endurance of the Thomasian community, saying that the connection between graduates persists long after the ceremony ends.
“Looking at the future, what lies ahead of us, but not to be feared, because we are one community. Because, as Thomasians, even after you graduate, we still have a connection with each other…And that’s what the graduation is all about,” he said.
The fireworks display will last its usual runtime of eight to nine minutes, according to Austria.
To support environmental sustainability during the festivities, the University is also encouraging graduates to avoid single use plastics and bring reusable water jugs instead.
“There are a lot of people celebrating, there are a lot of people who will be eating and drinking, I hope that we need to take care of the environment still,” Austria said.
This year’s Baccalaureate Mass ceremony will take place on Friday, May 29, at the UST Grandstand and Open Field, where the upcoming graduates will participate in the Lumina Pandit or the ceremony of light and their exit through the Arch of the Centuries. F
